We love him dearly, but we're afraid he's really going to hurt someone someday. We gothim as a baby and he has always been aggressive. He was hatched in Dallas, Texas, not taken from the wild. Any ideas?
2006-07-25 19:43:29 · 12 answers · asked by mai 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
Whew! This looks worse than I thought. Does anyone know any good Amazon parrot behaviorists in the Seattle area?
2006-07-27 10:19:26 · update #1
If the human is afraid of being bitten, then they will often unconsciously pull away when the bird reaches with their beak. The parrot will now use lunging and biting as an effective technique with which to control the human and that bird will remain in control for as long as the human remains afraid. Parrots can sense when someone is frightened and will take advantage of it every time. If the person cannot get over their fear response, then they will probably never gain control of the bird.
First, show the bird your displeasure by giving it a REALLY DIRTY LOOK ("The Evil Eye"). I'm really serious about this -- you have to look at it as if it were the lowest of the low, or pond scum, or something you might find stuck to the bottom of your shoe. Parrots are extremely empathic creatures who watch our facial expressions closely. He will understand your displeasure if you give him a tremendously dirty look. Then, make him step from one hand to the other over and over while you keep saying
"Up" in a very firm but not loud voice. Do this several times in a row (i.e., 3-4 times) and you will be amazed at the difference. This is a non-aggressive, nurturing technique with which to give the parrot negative feedback because parrots really understand this as a reprimand.
2006-08-01 04:05:55 · answer #1 · answered by iceni 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Amazon parrots are known to be very territorial and cantankerous and they can inflict a painful bite if they are so inclined. You're right to be concerned about him possibly injuring someone.
At 13 years old, there are probably no quick cures for his nasty attitude. Since he has always been aggressive, I don't believe his attitude is due to any temporary hormonal issues.
I would suggest you contact an avian behaviorist in your area and have him/her visit your bird and your house and give you some tips on handling your bird. You really need the help of someone who is familiar with Amazons to observe and work with your bird.
In the meantime, don't allow him to sit on your shoulder and near you face.....there is a reason why pirates wear eye patches.
2006-07-25 23:40:01 · answer #2 · answered by Free Bird 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have an Amazon also who is 65 years old. Unfortunately you have waited to long to correct its problem (attitude). It still can be done but will be much harder. Speaking from experience, an Amazon parrot is not willing to share its love. It will attach mostly to only one person, usually the opposite sex. It does not want to be bothered by any others. Our amazon reacts only "poppy", however I can feed the bird, but it will not land on me like it will with poppy who is allowed to scratch it's head and things. Your parrot does not belong near people until it is secure in knowing it has a special friend it can bond with. Then it will still open it's beak to show stay away "I'm taken" but will usually not bite strangers unless really threatened. It needs to feel secure and at this point does not, and does not have trust in one person. Your bird seems to be very unhappy, confused. It will take ONE person to work with it, to train it.
2006-07-27 04:03:01 · answer #3 · answered by Tweek 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most Amazons are known for their biting behavior. I have worked with so many Amazons and taken countless stitches because of their aggressive behavior.
I have found from years of working and trying to rehab them at our center that once they are set in their ways they do not change.
At 13 your bird is still young, there have been a few cases documented of them living to be 100 years old.
You have every reason to worry about the bird one day really hurting someone. I wouldn't trust it out alone because they will attack for no reason. At least before they do attack they will give you the warning signs, which are the top feathers will stand up, their tails will fan out and their pupils will go pinpoint. I hope you have on fast running shoes when you see those signs.
I have thought at one time running a Boot Camp for Amazons if I only could believe that I could train them to chill out and not bite anymore. But after over 10 years of working with all species of Amazons they all acted the same.
If you show fear toward his aggressive behavior he will only act out more toward you, they are very good at sencing human emotion, and they love the sence of fear, I guess it makes them feel more in control over you.
If I can be of any other help to you please let me know.
Sapphyre
Certified Avian Specialist
http://www.borrowed-rainbow.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BorrowedRainbowAviary/
2006-07-27 08:22:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its the two sexual adulthood and jealously of the domestic dog. Amazons exchange into sexually mature everywhere from 5-10 years, reckoning on the subspecies or maybe in specific situations the guy chook. The men, extraordinarily, are prevalent to alter into very aggressive while they're mature and breeding season comes around. Are you specific you have a female? If the aggressiveness is using it being breeding season and could maximum in all probability be seeing this comparable habit at on the edge of the comparable time each and each year from here on out. one ingredient that's quite helpful to do to tone down the aggressive habit for the period of destiny breeding seasons is to make sure Macy gets a clean wing clip in the present day of year (or have a expert do it in case you don't be attentive to how). on the prospect that that's jealousy of the domestic dog, i could try multiple the flaws that others here have stated as far as paying interest to the chook vs. the domestic dog.
2016-11-03 00:37:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
13 years is a long time. You will need to do some very serious training to undo his nasty demeanor. Get 'Bird Talk' magazine and also a few tapes on training. It will work if you keep at it. These birds are very intelligent and develop human-like characteristics. Like a bratty child. Good luck. You can do it!
2006-07-30 14:29:24 · answer #6 · answered by michael g 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom has raised birds for a very long time and I have seen her do it when her birds would bite. She would flick them a couple times on the beak and after a few weeks they would stop biting
2006-07-25 19:49:21 · answer #7 · answered by mastiff mommy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bite him back. Put something bitter/foul tasting on a faux hand, let him bite, eventually he'll stop. Remove the beak. Rubber band the beak. Don't let anyone touch him. Any of those should work.
2006-07-25 19:48:04 · answer #8 · answered by unclewong 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is what i did i have a sun conure when she would bite i would flick her beak that way she associated me doing that every time she bit i would squeeze her beak but the thing that helped me was i bought a pair of thick leather garding gloves when she gets in her biting mood i get them out and hold her with them its no fun for them when they cant hurt you sometimes ill say the word glove and understands amazon is much bigger than a conure but it worked quite well
2006-07-31 17:06:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A friend of mine has a cockatoo that bit. He would rub tabasco on his hand and let the bird take a nip. After a while, the biting stopped.
2006-07-25 21:01:15 · answer #10 · answered by angling_cyclist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋